Got Veggies?

Vegetables Make the Meal

Adding vegetables to a meal not only increased its appeal (and its nutritional value) but also boosted the diner's perception of the chef, a recent survey showed.  And that chef was usually the diner's mom!

Participants were asked to evaluate meals served with or without vegetables, as well as the cook who prepared the meal.  Meals that included a vegetable with dishes such as chicken, steak, or pasta received high ratings from a choice of 12 attributes, including "tasty" and "loving."  The preparer was more likely to get descriptions such as "thoughtful," "attentive," and "capable."

"Most parents know that vegetables are healthy, yet vegetables are served at only 23 percent of American dinners." said lead researcher Brian Wansink, PhD.  "That means we need to find some new motivations to encourage parents to make vegetables a bigger part of the meal.  If parents knew that adding vegetables to the plate could make what they prepare for dinner seem more appealing, or could increase their own 'heroic ' appeal, then maybe they'd be more inspired to serve vegetables."

Source: "Adding Vegetables Enhances Both Main Dish Expectations and Perception of the Cook," Cornell University 12/12